Sino-Japanese War How are the Chinese soldiers portrayed in these prints? The Japanese soldiers?
The Chinese soldiers are portrayed as weak and feeble. Most are in the midst of being killed with their arms up and faces contorted with pain. The Chinese are the ones who are always beaten. Portrayed as devils—propaganda. Dehumanizing the enemy makes killing easier. The Japanese soldiers, on the other hand, look courageous and valiant. They look like heroes and are depicted as protecting the weak. They hold a battle stance. They also never get hit by the bullets; the bullets simply whiz by them.
Look at the weapons used by each side, are they different? How? Does this tell us anything about Japanese technological advancement?
The Japanese soldiers use samurai swords, sniper guns, and cannons. The Chinese hold short, blunt swords and arrows. This portrayed that the Japanese were much more advanced than the Chinese.
Read the Ichiko's Baseball Club Rouser Why do sports often become symbolic battlegrounds between nations?
Nations want to compete and prove their worth. Winning in sports brings honor and character to nations. NATIONAL SELF RESPECT AND SOCIAL EQUALITY. Why does this matter to a people? What do they find so gratifying in the experience of witnessing their team beat another in the arena of sport?
Is imperialism/colonialism simply about militarily and politically controlling another nation, or is it also about proving one’s self-perceived cultural superiority over another?
Imperialism/colonialism is also about proving one's self-perceived cultural superiority over another because all nations want to impose their culture upon others. Nations ultimately want to rise above others and prove to the world that their ideals are superior. Pride in nation and wanting to spread ideas comes in to play when imperialism is evident.
Russo-Japanese War Do artistic renditions or photographs depict the heroics of war better?
Artistic renditions depict the heroics of war better because the artist is biased. Japanese artists would definitely create art in a way so that their soldiers were always victorious and valiant. While artistic renditions portrayed Russian soldiers in a respectable way, the Japanese soldiers had more heart, vigor, and courage.
Do artistic renditions or photographs depict the horrors of war better? (Consider all photographs of war that you have seen, both historical and contemporary)
Photographs depict the horrors of war better because photographs do not have favorites. Unlike artistic renditions, photographs don’t lie or exaggerate to make one side seem better than the other. The photographs exhibited the grim realities of war.
How does the medium affect the message? Can we say that, "[T]he medium is the message"?
The medium affects the message because wood block prints not only emphasize the victory of the Japanese, but they highlight how similar the Japanese are to the Russians (Western culture). On the other hand, photographs show the reality of the war and how brutal and dismal the war really was. I believe that yes, we can say that "the medium is the message" simply because it is the medium that holds the real message that has is still perceivable in the aftermath. In the artistic renditions of the war, one would rarely focus on the facial expressions, the use of colors, the small details that ultimately told of how the Japanese truly felt about their nation. In photography, the scenes and images are self explanatory, but it is the feeling that the photograph generates that stays with society.
Why is 1905 such a turning point in Japanese and World history? How might history have been different had Japan lost the Russo-Japanese War?
1905 was a huge turning point in Japanese and World history because it was when the world as well as Japan finally acknowledged Japan as a world power. The fact that Japan was able to be victorious over a powerful Western force gave the Japanese a vivid sense of nationalism. In order for Japan to modernize, they had to keep up with the Western culture and minimize their Asian ideals ("throw off Asia"). If Japan had lost the Russo- Japanese War, history may not have recognized Japan as a powerful nation until much later. Japan might have been conquered and almost ridiculed by the Western world.
Gabo Reform Edicts & Charter Oath of 1896 How are these documents alike? Be specific in showing exactly how they are similar.The Gabo Reform Edicts and the Charter Oath of 1896 were created in order to change both nations into modern, independent countries. Both documents abolished the idea of a caste/social class system and everyone was to be regarded as equal. Studying was encouraged and the people of both nations were able to pursue their own calling as jobs which were looked down upon were no longer to be degraded. How are these documents different?Be specific in showing how exactly they are different.The Gabo Reform Edicts made sure that the King was the only one to control the government while the Charter Oath allowed assemblies to discuss matters publicly. In Korea, although studying was allowed, only those who were gifted were able to study. On the other hand, the Japanese encouraged people to pursue their own careers. In addition, the army was an obligatory commitment for Koreans while there was no such thing in Japan. Korea also emphasized upon the fact that the only those who had merits could be appointed by the government when in Japan, everyone was to work together to governmental/state affairs rather than just a select few. What, ultimately, is their purpose?Their purpose was to establish a new policy during the reformation that will hopefully shape their society into a contemporary and innovative society. These were very lofty goals for both people to try to achieve. To what degree do you feel the Koreans and the Japanese were able to achieve their objectives?To the present day, I believe that the Koreans and Japanese were able to achieve a mass of their objectives. While the Koreans did not completely achieve their goals, they deviated from their plans which helped them develop into a better nation. For example, while the King does not control the governments now, Korea established a democratic system that allows people to achieve higher ranks based on their merits. In addition, class systems were abolished and everyone is equal. The edicts mentioned that only the gifted were able to study, however, today, everyone is given a chance to receive education. Jobs such as acting and pursuing the arts, on the other hand, are still sometimes considered degrading due to the fact that some people believe the arts are simply a hobby and not ground work that can be mastered through intense studying. The Japanese have definitely taken an approach to modernization through nature as it is apparent due to shintoism. They also value knowledge and many jobs were introduced because of the different interests of the people. Apart from their achievements, Japan is still has a constitutional monarchy. Although citizens are allowed to have a say in the government, Japan still has an emperor. Both nations were able to reform into more fitting societies that resemble many of the points on the Gabo Reform Edicts and the Charter Oath of 1868.
2011 May 12, Queen Min & Isabella Bird Who was Isabella Bird?
renowned writer, traveler, visited Korea while Q. Min was in control
impression of Q. Min: had grace, novelty, regal, charismatic leader
What might the clothes and jewelry worn by Queen Min tell us about her view of her place in Korean society?
jewelry and clothing->woman leader
Which personal characteristics of the Queen tell us about what kind of woman she was?
discussed her beauty and appearance, intelligent, influential, kind
use beauty to achieve goals: sway king and make her influential
tool of international diplomacy...
Who was Queen Min?
born in 1851 from powerless noble fam
married at age of 15
Gojung's father didn't want queen with powerful background, that's why Min was chosen
Queen Min helped est. foreign policies
Tae Won Gun opposers went to Queen Min
energetic
Why was she chosen to be queen?How did she try to maintain Korea's independence? Did she succeed?
tried to Westernize Korea
tried to maintain korea's independence
develop modern tech
How did she try to maintain Korea's independence? Did she succeed?
considered by Western people as "power hungry"
became target of military mutiny
learned from Thai King that "if you can play imperialist against each other, you can succeed" (Russian vs Jap)
wanted to buy time for Korea to modernize^^^ (Japanese recognized this and decided that they had to get rid of her)
What can her death tell us about the measures imperialists will take to ensure their interests?
successful, got rid of future icon so Koreans couldn't create rebellion...
were able to take full control of Korea
she was icon, that's why it was essential for Japanese to destroy her body...
How are the Chinese soldiers portrayed in these prints? The Japanese soldiers?
The Chinese soldiers are portrayed as weak and feeble. Most are in the midst of being killed with their arms up and faces contorted with pain. The Chinese are the ones who are always beaten. Portrayed as devils—propaganda. Dehumanizing the enemy makes killing easier. The Japanese soldiers, on the other hand, look courageous and valiant. They look like heroes and are depicted as protecting the weak. They hold a battle stance. They also never get hit by the bullets; the bullets simply whiz by them.
Look at the weapons used by each side, are they different? How? Does this tell us anything about Japanese technological advancement?
The Japanese soldiers use samurai swords, sniper guns, and cannons. The Chinese hold short, blunt swords and arrows. This portrayed that the Japanese were much more advanced than the Chinese.
Read the Ichiko's Baseball Club Rouser
Why do sports often become symbolic battlegrounds between nations?
Nations want to compete and prove their worth. Winning in sports brings honor and character to nations. NATIONAL SELF RESPECT AND SOCIAL EQUALITY. Why does this matter to a people? What do they find so gratifying in the experience of witnessing their team beat another in the arena of sport?
Is imperialism/colonialism simply about militarily and politically controlling another nation, or is it also about proving one’s self-perceived cultural superiority over another?
Imperialism/colonialism is also about proving one's self-perceived cultural superiority over another because all nations want to impose their culture upon others. Nations ultimately want to rise above others and prove to the world that their ideals are superior. Pride in nation and wanting to spread ideas comes in to play when imperialism is evident.
Russo-Japanese War
Do artistic renditions or photographs depict the heroics of war better?
Artistic renditions depict the heroics of war better because the artist is biased. Japanese artists would definitely create art in a way so that their soldiers were always victorious and valiant. While artistic renditions portrayed Russian soldiers in a respectable way, the Japanese soldiers had more heart, vigor, and courage.
Do artistic renditions or photographs depict the horrors of war better? (Consider all photographs of war that you have seen, both historical and contemporary)
Photographs depict the horrors of war better because photographs do not have favorites. Unlike artistic renditions, photographs don’t lie or exaggerate to make one side seem better than the other. The photographs exhibited the grim realities of war.
How does the medium affect the message? Can we say that, "[T]he medium is the message"?
The medium affects the message because wood block prints not only emphasize the victory of the Japanese, but they highlight how similar the Japanese are to the Russians (Western culture). On the other hand, photographs show the reality of the war and how brutal and dismal the war really was. I believe that yes, we can say that "the medium is the message" simply because it is the medium that holds the real message that has is still perceivable in the aftermath. In the artistic renditions of the war, one would rarely focus on the facial expressions, the use of colors, the small details that ultimately told of how the Japanese truly felt about their nation. In photography, the scenes and images are self explanatory, but it is the feeling that the photograph generates that stays with society.
Why is 1905 such a turning point in Japanese and World history? How might history have been different had Japan lost the Russo-Japanese War?
1905 was a huge turning point in Japanese and World history because it was when the world as well as Japan finally acknowledged Japan as a world power. The fact that Japan was able to be victorious over a powerful Western force gave the Japanese a vivid sense of nationalism. In order for Japan to modernize, they had to keep up with the Western culture and minimize their Asian ideals ("throw off Asia"). If Japan had lost the Russo- Japanese War, history may not have recognized Japan as a powerful nation until much later. Japan might have been conquered and almost ridiculed by the Western world.
Gabo Reform Edicts & Charter Oath of 1896
How are these documents alike? Be specific in showing exactly how they are similar.The Gabo Reform Edicts and the Charter Oath of 1896 were created in order to change both nations into modern, independent countries. Both documents abolished the idea of a caste/social class system and everyone was to be regarded as equal. Studying was encouraged and the people of both nations were able to pursue their own calling as jobs which were looked down upon were no longer to be degraded.
How are these documents different?Be specific in showing how exactly they are different.The Gabo Reform Edicts made sure that the King was the only one to control the government while the Charter Oath allowed assemblies to discuss matters publicly. In Korea, although studying was allowed, only those who were gifted were able to study. On the other hand, the Japanese encouraged people to pursue their own careers. In addition, the army was an obligatory commitment for Koreans while there was no such thing in Japan. Korea also emphasized upon the fact that the only those who had merits could be appointed by the government when in Japan, everyone was to work together to governmental/state affairs rather than just a select few.
What, ultimately, is their purpose?Their purpose was to establish a new policy during the reformation that will hopefully shape their society into a contemporary and innovative society.
These were very lofty goals for both people to try to achieve. To what degree do you feel the Koreans and the Japanese were able to achieve their objectives?To the present day, I believe that the Koreans and Japanese were able to achieve a mass of their objectives. While the Koreans did not completely achieve their goals, they deviated from their plans which helped them develop into a better nation. For example, while the King does not control the governments now, Korea established a democratic system that allows people to achieve higher ranks based on their merits. In addition, class systems were abolished and everyone is equal. The edicts mentioned that only the gifted were able to study, however, today, everyone is given a chance to receive education. Jobs such as acting and pursuing the arts, on the other hand, are still sometimes considered degrading due to the fact that some people believe the arts are simply a hobby and not ground work that can be mastered through intense studying. The Japanese have definitely taken an approach to modernization through nature as it is apparent due to shintoism. They also value knowledge and many jobs were introduced because of the different interests of the people. Apart from their achievements, Japan is still has a constitutional monarchy. Although citizens are allowed to have a say in the government, Japan still has an emperor. Both nations were able to reform into more fitting societies that resemble many of the points on the Gabo Reform Edicts and the Charter Oath of 1868.
2011 May 12, Queen Min & Isabella Bird
Who was Isabella Bird?
What might the clothes and jewelry worn by Queen Min tell us about her view of
her place in Korean society?
Which personal characteristics of the Queen tell us about what kind of woman she
was?
Who was Queen Min?
Why was she chosen to be queen? How did she try to maintain Korea's independence? Did she succeed?
How did she try to maintain Korea's independence? Did she succeed?
What can her death tell us about the measures imperialists will take to ensure their
interests?
Timeline of Korean History
http://www.dipity.com/jerinl/Korea-The-Last-One-Hundred-Years-of-the-Chosun-Dynasty/
Works Cited
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"Donghak Peasant Revolution." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia. Web. 15 May 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donghak_Peasant_Revolution>.
"Empress Myeongseong." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia. Web. 15 May 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empress_Myeongseong>.
"Eulmi Incident - New World Encyclopedia." New World Encyclopedia. Creative Commons Attribution. Web. 15 May 2011. <http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Eulmi_Incident>.
"Japan–Korea Treaty of 1876." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia. Web. 15 May 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan–Korea_Treaty_of_1876>.
"Joseon Dynasty." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia. Web. 15 May 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseon_Dynasty>.
"KoreanHistory.info Choson or Joseon Dynasty ?? 1392 - 1910." KoreanHistory.info. Web. 15 May 2011. <http://koreanhistory.info/ChosonDynasty.htm>.
"Tonghak rebellion." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 15 May 2011.
Images
GanghwaTreaty.jpg. Digital image. Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia. Web. 15 May 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:GanghwaTreaty.jpg>.
Portrait of Empress Myeong Seong.jpg. Digital image. Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia. Web. 15 May 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Portrait_of_Empress_Myeong_Seong.jpg>.
Tonghakchong.jpg. Digital image. KoreanHistory.info. Web. 15 May 2011. <http://koreanhistory.info/Tonghak.htm>.